As expected, the Nephilim Gathering became delayed. It wasn't until the end of the second year that words of its imminent start caused waves through the Outer Powers once more.
Dyon used this time effectively as well. After he was sure the former Sprite Alliance territory was stable enough to not fall in a few days, he turned his attention toward the Tower Quadrants.
It was no surprise that many took the initiative to submit themselves to him. Dyon decided to focus his attention on them and ignore those who remained stubborn. It wasn't that Dyon didn't want to conquer it all, but rather that it wasn't as convenient.
Sprite Alliance Territory was entirely controlled by the sprites. Even the most backwater places had their influence. So, by taking down their upper echelon, Dyon easily swept through them just like that.
However, the tower quadrants were different. Often times, Clans would only control 50 to 60% of their quadrants, the rest of which would either be abandoned or controlled by beasts. This made it much more difficult to handle with ease.
This wasn't the only problem either. One had to remember that many of the Outer Powers had pieces and pawns within the Tower Quadrants.
How could the Sprite Alliance not have wanted to quickly conquer four more quadrants and enter the Planet Grade Clan levels? But who would allow them to do so?
This was a problem many of the Outer Powers faced, and was one that faced Dyon now.
Still, this didn't mean Dyon would sit by and do nothing. Aside from the Drago-Qilin Quadrants, Dyon forcefully conquered the universe spirits of all the tower quadrants. Now, even when he declared war… He would have the decisive advantage!
Doing such a thing most definitely incurred public outrage, but Dyon didn't care. Without Faith, there was already no one capable of being his opponent in the Tower Quadrants.
In the end, this move forced many more to willingly submit. In fact, by the end of the second year, the only ones who hadn't were the Golden Crow Sect, the Drago-Qilin Lands, and the Pegasus Clan…
That was right. Even Dyon sneered when he saw that the Water Mist Sect and the Mist Clan was willing to submit. It seemed they didn't want to raise too many eyebrows before the battlefield descended.
Though he knew they were a hidden dagger lurking in the shadows, he still accepted their allegiance.
Maybe the most complicated affair was dealing with the Shruti Clan. After all, Dyon had only just helped them conquer the Kitsune Lands, only for him to take it back now. But who knew what Saru told them… He hadn't heard a single complaint from them.
At the end of the day, strength ruled supreme. Not only was Dyon more powerful than them all, he was actually fractions of their age. This sort of talent shone far too brightly, even in the Outer Powers. There was no doubt in their minds that given enough time, the name Dyon Sacharro would be undefeatable on the mortal plane.
**
Madeleine was to his right, smiling lightly and looking like every bit of the city toppling goddess she was. To his left, there was Luna. She was of smaller stature, but she had refined a queenly air over her long life that had a hard to match and define elegance.
Little Alauna flitted around the three of them as though she was still a child, happily running from store to store and buying up everything she took a fancy to with her father's money.
"It's probably time by now." Madeleine said with a smile.
"Ah, they can wait." Dyon waved his hand nonchalantly. "Since I'm the most important guest, I have the obligation to appear last."
Luna's veil trembled slightly under her smile. "You're not worried?"
"What is there to be worried about? Just a bunch of jumping clowns."
"If I'm correct, they'll probably label our Sacharro Clan as a traitor to their efforts." Madeleine inputted.
"Mm." Dyon nodded. "It would be reasonable. After all, Clans don't just appear out of nowhere for no reason. If they had good intentions in believing this, I wouldn't mind proving that I wasn't… However…"
Dyon wasn't bloviating, he really could prove it. As long as he released his Faith, it would become clear to everyone that he was the Origin Ancestor of the Sacharro Clan. That would make it obvious he wasn't some enemy that had hidden away for a long time, but rather a rising star.
If they had good intentions, he wouldn't have minded making an exception toward his personal pet peeves. After all, they would have to fight side by side soon.
However… Since they didn't… He wouldn't give them any face at all.
They actually wanted to use this Nephilim Gathering to test his mettle? His limits?
They were overestimating themselves.
In the distance, a violent wave of qi suddenly erupted. A massive blood red pillar shot into the skies, tearing through space, before it slowly began to rain down pockets of red qi droplets.
Soon, those droplets formed an impenetrable barrier, covering over half the planet.
Luna sighed. "They're really going to regret deploying that array in a few minutes…"